CARICOM and sport under fire: St Lucia Olympic Committee president Alfred Emmanuel says CARICOM has failed athletes by not making inter-Caribbean travel more affordable and accessible, arguing high airfare and weak political urgency are blocking regional competition and training. CARICOM leadership handover: Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre says Saint Lucia will take the CARICOM chair in July and is pushing “resilience to renewal,” with priorities including integration, climate resilience, economic cooperation and disaster preparedness ahead of the July 5–8 Heads meeting. Tourism meets football (big deal): The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority announced a multi-year partnership with Arsenal FC, naming the island the club’s official destination partner from 2026/27, with global brand exposure (including UK focus) plus a local youth academy hub. Local governance pressure point: PM Pierre called illegal dumping a growing problem and warned the law will be enforced, saying government clean-ups burden taxpayers. Trade and rights, locally: IRD and ECCO signed an MOU to boost tax compliance and protect music rights through data sharing and cooperation on violations. Youth and culture: 21 young artists were recognised in the Saint Lucia Halls of Justice Youth Art Challenge, and a JCI West Indies convention will bring about 170 delegates to Saint Lucia in October. Travel shockwave: Pierre said his government only learned last Friday about Ireland’s new visa requirement for Saint Lucians, effective Monday, framing it as part of a wider European anti-immigrant shift.